abortion

noun abor·tion \ə-ˈbȯr-shən\

: a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy and cause the death of the fetus

Full Definition of ABORTION

: the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus: as

a : spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus during the first 12 weeks of gestation — compare miscarriage

b : induced expulsion of a human fetus

c : expulsion of a fetus by a domestic animal often due to infection at any time before completion of pregnancy — compare contagious abortion

: monstrosity

: arrest of development (as of a part or process) resulting in imperfection; also : a result of such arrest

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First Known Use of ABORTION

circa 1537

Related to ABORTION

Synonyms: abandonment, cancellation, calling, calling off, dropping, recall, recision, repeal, rescission, revocation

Antonyms: continuation

Other Embryology Terms

gravid, neonate, ontogeny, parturition

Rhymes with ABORTION

apportion, contortion, distortion, extortion, proportion

Medical Dictionary

abortion

noun abor·tion \ə-ˈbȯr-shən\

Medical Definition of ABORTION

: the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus: a : spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus during the first 12 weeks of gestation—compare miscarriage b : induced expulsion of a human fetus c : expulsion of a fetus of a domestic animal often due to infection at any time before completion of pregnancy—see contagious abortion, trichomoniasis b, vibrionic abortion

: arrest of development of an organ so that it remains imperfect or is absorbed

: the arrest of a disease in its earliest stage <abortion of a cold>